-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Celebrities are no strangers to charity work : Bono created his ONE campaign to fight global poverty , Angelina Jolie travels the world as a United Nations good will ambassador , and the recently named `` Sexiest Man Alive '' Bradley Cooper reportedly donated thousands of dollars worth of winter clothing to homeless people in Philadelphia , where he 's filming his latest movie .

Is this all part of keeping up appearances in image-centric Hollywood , or do most celebrities have a genuine desire to use their star status to help raise money or awareness for certain causes ?

Todd Krim , who founded Give Back Hollywood -- which helps connect celebrities and charities -- says he thinks there 's a true desire by celebrities to get involved .

`` Maybe sometimes people might think it 's a good idea -LRB- for a celebrity 's image -RRB- ... but most of the time it 's a genuine interest , '' Krim said . `` In fact , there -LRB- are -RRB- a lot of celebrities who do charity work who do n't even want cameras around . ''

Krim spoke to CNN about why he started the organization and whether `` young Hollywood '' has embraced charity and grass roots causes :

CNN : What inspired you to create Give Back Hollywood and what exactly does this organization do ?

Todd Krim : I really just fell into it . I 'm a lawyer and ... in 2003 I met a lot of celebrities and reality stars in social circles who were wanting to give back but did n't know how ... I met Harry -LRB- Shum Jr. from `` Glee '' -RRB- at an event , and I asked him , ` What charities or causes do you support ? ' -LRB- and -RRB- he said he did n't have one charity he works closely with . Because he 's a dancer , I thought he 'd connect with the Andrea Rizzo Foundation -LRB- which helps children with cancer through dance therapy -RRB- . Long story short , he went to Mattel Children 's Hospital -LRB- in Los Angeles -RRB- and participated in a dance therapy session .

CNN : Do you think most celebrities get involved with charity as part of marketing their overall image ? Or is there more of a genuine desire to use their star status to raise awareness for those in need ?

Krim : I can honestly say doing this for seven years , 99 % of the time it 's a genuine interest . Maybe sometimes people might thing it 's a good idea -LRB- for their image -RRB- ... but most of the time it 's a genuine interest ... in fact , there 's a lot of celebrities who do charity work who do n't even want cameras around . ... Some examples : Josh Hopkins from `` Cougar Town '' plays basketball at the YMCA or Regina King from `` Southland '' and `` Jerry Maguire '' is a cheerleading squad coach in Pasadena ... she probably never told anyone until I asked .

And that 's what I love , that shows a true commitment , and genuine interest , not wanting to promote it . But then again , I have just as much respect for those who want to promote it because they set an example for other celebrities . And that 's where their greatest strength lies : in using their celebrity status . And that 's the main premise of Give Back Hollywood : We love working with grass roots nonprofits .

I think it 's great , -LRB- top celebrities like -RRB- Lady Gaga , Justin Bieber , Angelina Jolie , do amazing work ... but I think it 's important to highlight other great things by young Hollywood , Sophia Bush from `` One Tree Hill '' ... Serinda Swan from `` Breakout Kings , '' Ian Somerhalder from the `` Vampire Diaries '' cast ... people might not realize it 's not just the A-listers who are philanthropic , it 's everyone from young Hollywood .

CNN : What 's one instance of a small or large deed by a celebrity that has struck you as particularly inspiring ?

Krim : I would say I think Justin Bieber , I have to say ... I took a quick look at this Forbes article that claimed ... his charity quotient was n't as high as his net worth , but I think that 's ridiculous because from a PR and personal perspective , he 's very philanthropic : I was at Mattel Children 's Hospital where he personally visited patients and surprised them with a screening of `` Never Say Never '' ... and personally visited the bedside of a patient who was dying and a big Justin Bieber fan , even though he was late for his next appointment . He made it a point to visit her and spend time with her . So I know Justin does it from the heart . I think he 's setting an example for future generations .

CNN : Is there a particular celebrity -- maybe someone with a bad-boy image -- whose generosity has surprised you ?

Krim : I would say the best example of that might be Soulja Boy , who has gotten a lot of flak -LRB- he was recently arrested for gun and drug charges -RRB- ... he just came to my Children 's Miracle Network event ... he loves kids and he 's all about giving back .

CNN : What 's one area where you think Hollywood could do better in teaming up with charitable organizations ?

Krim : -- I 'd like to see more ... of the people behind the scenes get more involved : producers , directors , the talent agencies and the people who support the celebrities ... they have a say in whether a celebrity participates in certain things . Sometimes the celebrity does n't even hear about -LRB- events or charities -RRB- ... I 'd like to see Hollywood work more as a team , and all come together to support charity .

Right now it 's sort of splintered . It should just be automatic ... and it 's something that the whole team from the publicists to the agents ... that should all be their focus . It 's a win-win and there ' s nothing better than seeing a smile on a kid 's face ... when you surprise them with their favorite celebrity .

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Todd Krim founded `` Give Back Hollywood '' to help link celebrities and causes

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He helped connect a `` Glee '' star with a dance therapy charity

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He talks about whether younger stars are as charitable as A-listers

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Krim hopes to see everyone in Hollywood embrace the idea of giving